Apparatus, systems and methods for control of sporting event presentation based on viewer engagement

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are operable to present a sporting event on a display based on a determined level of viewer engagement and a determined team preference of the viewer. An exemplary embodiment presents a neutral viewpoint video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a neutral team preference, alternatively presents a first team alternative video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a preference for the first team, or alternatively presents a second team alternative video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a preference for the second team.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/230,561, filed Apr. 14, 2021, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/063,944, filed Mar. 8, 2016, nowissued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,012,719. The entire disclosures of all of theaforementioned U.S. Patent Applications are hereby incorporated byreference, for all purposes, as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Media devices, such as a set top box, a stereo, a television, a computersystem, a game system, or the like, are often configured to presentmedia content pertaining to a sporting event. Conventional presentedmedia content for a sporting event is broadcast out to a plurality ofmedia devices.

Typically, a plurality of different cameras located about the sportingevent location are operated to capture video images of the play of thesporting event from different camera viewing angles. During productionof the broadcasting sporting event, one of the plurality of cameras isselected to provide the broadcasting video content of the ongoingsporting event. When play of the sporting event has stopped, the one ormore of the cameras may be oriented about the field of play towardsother locations, such as the sidelines of the playing field or towardsother areas of activity, such as when cheerleaders are presenting acheer or the like. Thus, when play has stopped, selected video from oneor more of these cameras are selected for presentation to the viewers ofthe sporting event.

Alternatively, some other content may be substituted into the broadcastof the sporting event, such as commentary about the previous play,commentary about some other aspect of the game or sporting event, and/orcommentary about the teams and/or a particular player of interest.

The video portion of such commentary may present images of thecommentators who are providing the commentary, and/or may present videoimages of replays of the sporting event that is the subject matter ofthe commentary. Alternatively, or additionally, pre-filmed or previouslyacquired content (such as a still image or a video of a particularplayer) may be presented during the commentary.

However, since the sporting event is likely to be broadcast to viewingaudiences who are fans of one team or who are fans of the other team,the broadcasted sporting event typically presents a neutral,one-dimensional viewpoint of the sporting event. Typically, ateam-neutral viewpoint is taken by the producer of the media content soas to present an even-handed neutral viewpoint that is not biased infavor of either team. Accordingly, presentation of the sporting event ismade without favor to one team or the other (a neutral presentationviewpoint).

Thus, one problem encountered in the prior art is that a broadcastingsporting event that presents a neutral viewpoint can be less interestingto the fans of one team or the other. That is, a fan of a particularteam would otherwise have a higher degree of enjoyment if thepresentation of the sporting event was biased towards their favoriteteam. However, such a biased presentation would likely be less enjoyableto fans of the opposing team of the sporting event.

Further, many viewers may not be partial to one team or the other of aparticular broadcasting sporting event. Rather, such viewers may equallyprefer, or not have a significant preference for, one team or the other.Such viewers may be watching the sporting event because they enjoywatching the sporting event in and of itself Thus, a biased presentationfavoring one team or the other would likely be distracting to suchneutral-biased viewers.

Accordingly, there is a need in the arts to present a broadcast of asporting event that has a higher degree of enjoyment to the viewing fan,regardless of their bias towards one team or the other (or if they havean unbiased interest in the sporting event).

SUMMARY

Systems and methods are operable to present a sporting event on adisplay based on a determined level of viewer engagement and adetermined team preference of the viewer. An exemplary embodimentpresents a neutral viewpoint video content segment on the display duringthe first period of game play when the viewer has a neutral teampreference, alternatively presents a first team alternative videocontent segment on the display during the first period of game play whenthe viewer has a preference for the first team, or alternativelypresents a second team alternative video content segment on the displayduring the first period of game play when the viewer has a preferencefor the second team.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments are described in detail below withreference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a sporting eventpresentation system implemented in a media presentation system mediathat produces and communicates sporting event media content to aplurality of media devices;

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the hypothetical sporting event ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the content streams output from aplurality of the image capture devices of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of the sporting event production that isgenerated from video and/or audio segments captured by the plurality ofthe image capture devices of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a sporting event presentation system thatis operable to control a media device; and

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of the sporting event production that ispresented by the media devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a sporting eventpresentation system 100 implemented in a media production andpresentation system 102 that produces and communicates sporting eventmedia content to a plurality of media devices 104. Non-limiting examplesof media devices 104 include, but are not limited to, a set top box(STB), a television (TV), a smart phone or other cellular communicationdevice, a net book, a laptop computer, or a personal computer (PC) thatis configured to receive broadcasting media content that is presented ona display 106.

Embodiments of the sporting event presentation system 100 detect viewerengagement responses of one or more viewers watching the presentedsporting event 108 on the display 106. Based on the detected viewerengagement responses, a level of viewer engagement relating to currentlypresented portions of the presented sporting event 108 is determined.Further, a preference for one of the teams is determined based on thedetected viewer engagement responses. Then, presentation of the sportingevent 108 is managed based on the determined level of viewer engagement.For example, if a highly engaged viewer is a fan of a particular team,alternative content may be presented about that favored team.

For example, a sporting event 108, conceptually illustrated as afootball game, is illustrated in FIG. 1 . The illustrated sporting event108 is used to conceptually describe operation of various embodiments ofthe sporting event presentation system 100. During play of the sportingevent 108, video images and audio content are captured and processedinto streaming video and audio content. The produced audio and videorepresentation of the sporting event 108 is referred to herein as thesporting event production. The sporting event production is thencommunicated to the plurality of media devices 104.

An image of the video portion of the sporting event production ispresented as an image 108 a on the display 106. The sporting eventproduction may be presented on the display 106 in real time, or in nearreal time (in view or processing time required to capture, produce andcommunicate the audio and visual representation of the sporting event108 to the media devices 104). Alternatively, the sporting eventproduction may be stored in a media device 104 for later presentation toa user of the media device 104 (interchangeably referred to herein as aviewer).

In most game situations, the sporting event 108 is a competitive eventtypically held between two different teams. The viewer may have apreference for a first team over a second team that is competing in thesporting event 108. The determined level of viewer engagement enablesthe sporting event presentation system 100 to identify a particularviewer's preference for one team over the other team (or determine thatthe viewer does not have a preferred team). Based on the determinedlevel of viewer engagement, presentation of content of the sportingevent production is modified to present a viewpoint that enhances theviewer's enjoyment of the presented sporting event 108. That is,presentation of alternative content included in the sporting eventproduction is varied to present more interesting video and/or audiocontent that is more likely to be enjoyed by the viewer. Depending onhow the sporting event production is created, the alternative videoand/or audio content of the sporting event production may presentdifferent camera angle views, play replays, play commentary, or otherinformation of interest pertaining to the viewer's preferred team.

To illustrate, consider a hypothetical first viewer of a sporting eventproduction who favors a first team. As presentation of the sportingevent 108 progresses, the first team may complete an unusual andinteresting game play. For this first viewer, one or more replays of thegame play of interest, here alternative content, may be presented tothat first viewer.

Concurrently, a second viewer may be also watching the same sportingevent production who favors the other second team. It is likely that thesecond viewer is not going to particularly enjoy viewing a plurality ofreplays that is presented to the first user. Here, embodiments of thesporting event presentation system 100, based on the determined level ofviewer engagement of the second viewer, will select and presentdifferent alternative content to the second viewer. For example, but notlimited to, images of other areas of the game play field may bepresented to this second viewer (such as the second team's cheerleadingsquad, the second teams player bench, or of the crowd attending thesporting event 108).

As another non-limiting example of alternative content, advertisementsfor upcoming presentation of sporting events with different teams may bepresented to this third viewer. Such advertisements may pertainmerchandise related to the identified favorite team. Alternatively, oradditionally, advertisements for products, for services and/or forupcoming presentation of other sporting events for the second team maybe presented.

Concurrently, a third viewer may be also watching the production of thesame sporting event 108 who favors neither the first team or the secondteam. Embodiments of the sporting event presentation system 100, basedon the determined level of viewer engagement of the third viewer, willselect and present content that is different from the alternativecontent presented to the first viewer and/or the second viewer. Forexample, but not limited to, content corresponding to a neutralpresentation viewpoint, which may correspond to a conventional livebroadcast, may be presented to this third viewer when then this vieweris neutral in their preference to either team (interchangeably referredto herein as having a neutral team preference).

As another non-limiting example of alternative content, a stock ofcontent or pre-produced content may be selected for presentation toviewers based on the determined level of viewer engagement. For example,pre-produced special interest segments about particular teams, aboutteam home locations, about locations in proximity to the game playfield, or other topics of interest may be selected as alternativecontent. Here, such pre-produced alternative content may be stored inthe stock content memory 115 at the media content event productionfacility 114, which may be implemented as part of a processing systemwith suitable memory for storing and accessing the pre-produced content.In some embodiments, the pre-produced content may reside in a remotememory medium and be accessed as needed as the production of the samesporting event 108 is created by the producers.

To facilitate disclosure of an exemplary embodiment of the sportingevent presentation system 100, operation of an exemplary media contenttransport system 110 that provides media content to an example mediadevice 104 is disclosed. During play of the sporting event 108, aplurality of image capture devices 112 at different locations around thefield of play capture video images (and optionally audio content). Theimage capture devices 112 are operated by a cameraman who dynamicallyorients their image capture device towards different regions of thefield of play to capture play of the sporting event 108. Alternatively,or additionally, the cameraman may orient their image capture device 112to capture other content of interest in proximity to the field of play,such as a scoreboard, fans in the stadium, or the like.

Each of the image capture devices 112 provide a stream of media content(video content, and optionally audio content) to a media content eventproduction facility 114, which may be in proximity to the field of playor which may be at a remote site. Operators within the media contentevent production facility 114 process the received steams of mediacontent received from the image capture devices 112 into the sportingevent production.

A media content broadcast facility 116 operated by a media contentprovider receives the sporting event production from the media contentevent production facility 114. Further, the media content broadcastfacility 116 receives media content from a plurality of other contentproducers. For example, the other media content may include, but is notlimited to, television programs, newscasts, different broadcastingsporting events, movies, or the like. The media content is typicallyprovided to the media content broadcast facility 116 in the form ofmedia content streams that include a stream of video content and asynchronized stream of audio content.

The media content broadcast facility 116 processes the received mediacontent streams as necessary to prepare them for transmission to thecustomers (the users or viewers of the plurality of media devices 104)into a media content stream 118 that is received by each of theplurality of media devices 104. For example, commercials or the like maybe incorporated with a particular one of the media content streams.Alternatively, or additionally, the media content streams may beassociated with identifiers, such as channel number and/or station callsigns associated with the producers of the media content.

In an example media content transport system 110, selected ones of themedia content streams are bundled (aggregated, interleaved together,etc.) into one or more transport channels 120. Then, the one or more ofthe transport channels 120 are communicated to the media devices 104.

A variety of types of communication systems may be used to communicatethe transport channels 120 and/or the media content stream 118 to themedia devices 104. The media content transport system 110 may employ asatellite system 122 wherein an uplink signal 124 is communicated from aground antenna 126 up to one or more satellites 128. Each of theexemplary satellites 128 broadcast a wireless satellite signal 130 downto a receiver antenna 132 that is coupled to the media device 104. Themedia device 104 receives the media content stream 118 from the receiverantenna 132.

Alternatively, or additionally, the media content transport system 110may employ an over the air (OTA) system 134 wherein a communicatedwireless signal 136 is received by the receiver antenna 132. The mediadevice 104 then receives the media content stream 118 from the receiverantenna 132.

Alternatively, or additionally, the media content transport system 110may employ a cable system 138 wherein a wire-based signal iscommunicated using a suitable cable 138 a or the like that is coupled tothe media device 104. Non-limiting examples of the cable 138 a include afiber optic cable, a coaxial cable, and telephone line.

The media content stream 118 may also be received by the media device104 in other manners. In an exemplary embodiment, the media contentbroadcast facility 116 or the media content event production facility114 may be communicatively coupled to the media device 104 via anothercommunication system (not shown). The media content stream 118 may thenbe received by the media device 104 via a communication link thatestablishes connectivity of the media device 104 to the media contentbroadcast facility 116 and/or the media content event productionfacility 114. A non-limiting example of such a communication system isthe Internet.

The sporting event production in the received media content stream(s)118 may be selected by the user who provides suitable instructions tothe media device 104. The sporting event production may be identified byits particular “channel” and/or station call sign. The media device 104tunes itself to the particular transport channel 120 on which thesporting event production is available, and then retrieves the selectedsporting event production. The sporting event production is thenassembled into the stream of video and audio content and is communicatedfrom the media device 104 to one or more components of a mediapresentation system 140, such as the example television (TV) with thedisplay 106.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the hypothetical sporting event 108 ofFIG. 1 . This simplified conceptual still image of the sporting event108, a soccer game, is illustrated and described to conceptuallydescribe an example operating environment wherein embodiments of thesporting event presentation system 100 present selected video and/oraudio content of the sporting event production pertaining to theviewer's preferred team, wherein the viewer's preference is based on thedetermined level of viewer engagement. Accordingly, one skilled in theart appreciates that the conceptual still image of the sporting event108 corresponds to an instant in time during play of the sporting event108, and that the plurality of image capture devices 112 a-d(interchangeably referred to as movie cameras) are each capturing avideo image (and optionally audio content) of game play during theduration of the sporting event 108.

The sporting event 108 is being played on the playing field 202. Duringplay of the sporting event 108, cameramen are illustrated as capturingvideo images (and/or audio content) using their image capture device 112a-d, respectively. Each of the image capture devices 112 a-d are atdifferent locations around the playing field 202. Accordingly, the fieldof view (or camera angle) of each captured stream of video content willbe different based on the particular location of the image capturedevice 112 a-d and the orientation (direction) of the particular imagecapture device 112 a-d. That is, each of the image capture devices 112a-d are appreciated to be capturing video of the sporting event 108 atdifferent camera angles.

The conceptual still image of the sporting event 108 shows a pluralityof players near the goal net 204. Here, a player 206 from a first teamis illustrated as taking a shot, or kicking the soccer ball, towards thegoal net 204. A defending player 208 from the second team is illustratedas attempting to block the shot made by the player 206. The firstcameraman operating the first image capture device 112 a, located at thelower left-hand corner of the playing field 202, is illustrated ascapturing play of the game from a first camera view angle.

Concurrently, a second cameraman operating the second image capturedevice 112 b, located at the upper right-hand corner of the playingfield 202, is also capturing play of the game from a second camera viewangle. However, a group of other players 210 illustrated as playing inthe central area of the playing field 202 may be obstructing the view ofthe goal shot in the video captured by the second image capture device112 b. Thus, it is more likely that the video stream being captured bythe first image capture device 112 a at the time of the shot on goalwill be used in the sporting event production rather than the videostream being concurrently captured by the second image capture device112 b (since presenting a clear unobstructed view of the goal shotcaptured by the first image capture device 112 a is more desirable thanpresenting the obstructed view of the goal shot using the video imagecaptured by the second image capture device 112 b). It is appreciatedthat as game play progresses, the producers of the sporting eventproduction will selectively choose among the various streams of videocontent (an optionally the audio content) being captured by the imagecapture devices 112 a-d to produce the sporting event production that ispresented to the viewers of the media devices 104.

Further, a plurality of other players are illustrated in the lowerright-hand side of the playing field 202. Here, a third player 212 ofthe first team is illustrated as tripping a fourth player 214 of thesecond team, thereby likely causing a foul play that is likely to bepenalized. A third cameraman operating a third image capture device 112c is illustrated as capturing a video of this potential penalty play.

A fourth cameraman operating a fourth image capture device 112 d isconceptually illustrated as capturing video images of one or morecommentators 216 who are narrating play of the sporting event 108 forthe crowd and/or for the viewers of the media devices 104. It isappreciated that as game play progresses, the producers of the sportingevent production will selectively choose to present the stream of videocontent being captured by the image capture device 112 d, likely duringtemporary stops of game play, so that the viewers may hear the dialogueof the commentators 216 (and optionally view the commentators 216 fromtime to time). Further, it is appreciated that the dialogue of thecommentators 216 during game play may be combined with the video contentand/or audio content captured by the other image capture devices 112 a-cduring game play.

As play progresses, assume that the goal shot made by the first player206 was successful, thereby resulting in a game point for the firstteam. Following the goal shot, it is likely that the fans 218 attendingthe sporting event 108 are likely to be cheering. It is likely that afirst viewer watching the sporting event 108 using their media device104 (who is a determined to be fan of the first team based on thedetermined level of viewer engagement) may be very interested in viewingthe reaction of the cheering fans 218. Here, the second cameramanoperating the second image capture device 112 b may be instructed tore-orient the image capture device 112 b towards the cheering fans 218,wherein a video of the cheering fans 218 would then be available topresent to the first viewer as alternative content.

Further, assume that a second viewer watching the sporting event 108using their media device 104 is a fan of the second team. Here, it isnot likely that the second viewer wants to watch the cheering fans 218.Rather, other alternative content may be presented to the second viewer(rather than the video content of the cheering fans 218 that is ofinterest to the first viewer).

It is appreciated that as game play progresses, and based on anysuitable number of image capture devices 112 recording the sportingevent 108, that the possible variations of content based on particularinterests of the individual viewers watching the sporting eventproduction using their media devices 104 are nearly limitless. With thesporting event presentation system 100, individual video streams ofinterest may be selected and presented to a viewer based on theparticular interests of that particular viewer, in accordance with thedetermined level of viewer engagement.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the content streams 302 output from aplurality of the image capture devices 112 a-112 i of FIG. 1 . Forexample, the output content stream 302 a from the image capture device112 a comprises a video content stream 304 a and an audio content stream306 a. The video content stream 304 a output from the image capturedevice 112 a comprises a series of sequenced still images 308(interchangeably referred to herein as a video frame 308).

When presented on the display 106 (FIG. 1 ), the viewer perceives amoving image of the objects in the series of presented video frames 308.The image objects are appreciated to lie in the field of view of theimage capture device 112 a. When the audio content stream 306 a issynchronously presented with the video content stream 304 a, the viewerhears sounds and/or dialogue as captured by one of the image capturedevice 112 a in synchronism with the presented video image.

As each of the content streams 302 a-i are output from respective onesof the image capture devices 112 a-i, the streaming output content iscommunicated to the media content event production facility 114.Operators at the media content event production facility 114 process thereceived content streams 302 a-i. Here, an operator viewing and/orlistening to content of the incoming content streams 302 a-i selectivelychooses portions (interchangeably referred to herein as a segment) fromthe received content streams 302 (video and/or audio) for inclusion inthe sporting event production. For example, when the player 206 scores apoint during game play, multiple ones of the image capture devices 112a-i may have captured (interchangeably referred to as filmed) a video ofthe game play. The operator selects one a portion of one of the contentstreams 302 a-i which has a “most preferable” field of view of thatparticular game play, and then adds that portion of the content stream302 (the video content and optionally the audio content) to generate thesporting event production there from. If the audio content of thatselected portion of the content stream 302 is not included in thesporting event production, audio content from another source may beused. For example, the audio portion of the speaking commentators 216may be used while the video portion of the filmed game play is selectedfor the sporting event production.

With respect to the hypothetical sporting event 108 conceptuallydescribed above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 , assume that a firstsegment 310 (the series of video frames 308) was captured during theduration of game play when the player 206 of the first team made thesuccessful goal shot that the second player 208 was defending against.This period of game play presented during this first segment 310 isdenoted by the duration T1 in FIG. 3 . After completion of thesuccessful goal shot, a following second segment 312 of the video frames308 was captured by the image capture device 112 a. This next period ofgame play presented during this second segment 312 is denoted by theduration T2.

During production of the sporting event content, one skilled in the artappreciates that the first segment 310 would be processed for inclusionin the sporting event production, and that the second segment 312 wouldlikely not be included in the sporting event production (since viewerswould not likely be interested in the activity in the vicinity of thatarea of the playing field 202). Rather, video content segments capturedby other ones of the image capture devices 112 b-i, or alternativecontent segments, would then follow the presentation of the firstsegment 310 in the sporting event production that is communicated to themedia devices. For example, if the second image capture device 112 b isre-oriented towards the cheering fans 218, a video segment correspondingto the duration T2 of the cheering fans 218 might then be included inthe sporting event production. Alternatively, or additionally, the videocontent and/or the audio content being captured by the fourth imagecapture device 112 d (corresponding to the duration T2) of thecommentator 216 who is narrating play of the sporting event 108 might bethe next included segment of the sporting event production.

During production of a legacy sporting event, the producers would belimited to generating a sporting event production content stream havinga single video content stream and a corresponding audio content stream.Although a plurality of different image capture devices 112 a-i are usedto capture game play, the operator must select segments from theavailable content streams 302 a-i. (In some instances, a picture inpicture format, or other suitable multiple image format, may be used toconcurrently present video content from multiple ones of the imagecapture devices 112 a-i. However, the multiple content streams areprocessed into a single stream of video content as the sporting eventproduction is being generated.)

Embodiments of the sporting event presentation system 100 are not solimited. Here, operators at the media content event production facility114 have the option of selecting a plurality of different segments forinclusion in the sporting event production. Here, each different segmentis captured by ones of the image capture devices 112 a-i. Each selectedsegment is associated with a particular viewpoint (the segment isreferred to interchangeably as a viewpoint video segment). Then, theselected multiple viewpoint video segments are communicated together aspart of the sporting event production, wherein each of the viewpointvideo segments are different streams of video content. Further, thesporting event production may optionally include one or more selectedaudio stream segments in the generated sporting event production.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of the sporting event production 402 thatis generated from video and/or audio segments captured by the pluralityof the image capture devices 112 a-i of FIGS. 1-2 .

To conceptually illustrate operation of the generation of the sportingevent production 402 during game play, one skilled in the artappreciates that the operator at the media content event productionfacility 114 selects a neutral viewpoint segment 404 from the videocontent, and optionally the audio content, during the duration T1 beingcaptured by one of the image capture devices 112 a-i. In theabove-described conceptual example, video content during the duration T1captured by the image capture device 112 a of the scoring goal made isby the player 206 is selected by the operator. Presumably, the firstviewer who is a fan of the first team and the second viewer who is a fanof the second team will both want to see that particular game play.Accordingly, for the duration T1 of the sporting event production, asingle viewpoint video segment selected from a single video contentstream and a single audio content stream are included in the sportingevent production. This viewpoint segment of the sporting eventproduction is referred to as the neutral viewpoint segment 404 sincethis segment does not favor any particular team. The neutral viewpointsegment 404 comprises a neutral viewpoint video segment 404 a, andcomprises a neutral viewpoint audio segment 404 b.

After a conclusion of the neutral viewpoint segment 404 (at the end ofthe duration T1), the operator at the media content event productionfacility 114 may understand that the fans 218 of the first team arelikely to be interested in viewing the reaction of the fans 218 in thestadium (FIG. 2 ). Accordingly, during the following duration T2, theoperator may select the video and/or audio portion of the capturedcontent stream 302 b being captured by the second image capture device212 b. This alternative content segment is conceptually illustrated asthe first team (FT) segment 406 (interchangeably referred to herein asalternative video content). To show a video of the cheering fans 218,the first team video segment 406 a (corresponding to the video portionof the captured content stream 302 b, and interchangeably referred toherein as alternative audio content) is selected for inclusion in thesporting event production 402.

Further, the operator may decide to include the corresponding audioportion of the captured content stream 302 b in the first team segment406 so that the viewer who is a fan of the first team can hear thecheering fans 218. Alternatively, or additionally, the operator mayselect the corresponding audio portion of the captured content stream302 d that is providing commentary from one or more of the commentators216 who are describing some aspect of the play that is expected to be ofinterest to the viewer who is a fan of the first team. Alternatively,the neutral viewpoint audio segment 404 b may be used to provide audiowhen the first team video segment 406 a is being presented.

Here, the above-described selected video segment and optional selectedaudio segment are associated with a viewpoint that favors the firstteam. A suitable identifier or the like associated with the first teamis then associated and included with the data of the first team segment406.

However, the operator may appreciate that viewers who are fans of thesecond team are not likely to be interested in viewing the cheering fans218. Accordingly, the operator may select a different video and/or audiosegment that is likely to be of interest to viewers who are fans of thesecond team. To conceptually illustrate this aspect, assume that theabove-described potential foul is being captured by the third imagecapture device 112 c by the third cameraman (where the third player 212of the first team is tripping the fourth player 214 of the second team,thereby likely causing a foul play that is likely to be penalized), asillustrated in FIG. 2 . That is, the operator at the media content eventproduction facility 114 may appreciate that the fans of the second teamwould like to see a video of this potential foul play Here, the thirdimage capture device 112 c is providing the captured content stream 302c (FIG. 3 ) to the media content event production facility 114.

Concurrently with selection of the second team viewpoint segment 408 aas alternative content that favors the viewpoint of the second team, oneof the commentators 216 may also be providing a narrative discussing thepotential foul play. Accordingly, during the duration T2, the operatormay select the video content from the third image capture device 212 c(here, conceptually illustrated as the second team (ST) video segment408 a, and interchangeably referred to herein as alternative videocontent) and audio content captured by the fourth image capture device112 d (here, conceptually illustrated as the ST audio segment 408 b, andinterchangeably referred to herein as alternative audio content) tocomprise the alternative content that favors the second team viewpoint.A suitable identifier or the like associated with the second team isincluded with the second team segment 408.

Further, the operator of the media content event production facility 114may also appreciate that other viewers may not be particularlyinterested in viewing either of the reaction of the fans 216 or thepotential foul play. Rather, the operator may appreciate that theseviewers may simply wish to view a replay of the game score and/or viewalternative content stored in the stock content memory 115. Accordingly,the video content captured by the image capture device 112 a during theduration T1 may be repeated (instant replay), and/or alternative contentmay be presented, during the duration T2. Accordingly, during theduration T2, the operator may concurrently select the instant replay ofthe video content from the first image capture device 212 a and/oralternative video content for inclusion as a neutral viewpoint videosegment 410 a. Also, the operator may select audio content from anysuitable source, such as the optionally audio content from one of thecommentators 216 or even audio content from the stock content memory115, for inclusion in the sporting event production 402 as the audiosegment 410 b.

Summarizing the above-described conceptual example, during the durationT1 of the sporting event production 402, a segment of the video contentstream 304 a captured by the first image capture device 112 a of thescoring game play is selected, and in then added to the sporting eventproduction 402 as a neutral viewpoint segment 404 a. During the laterfollowing duration T2, the sporting event production 402 comprises threevideo content stream viewpoint segments (and corresponding audioviewpoint segments). The first team video segment 406 a, the second teamvideo segment 408 a, and the replay of the scoring goal (neutralviewpoint video segment 410 a) are then included in the sporting eventproduction 402.

One or more of the associated audio content segments may also beincluded and associated with an associated one of the viewpoint videosegments. However, in some situations, a common audio segment may beused for two or more of the different video viewpoint segments that arecommunicated in the sporting event production 402.

In an example embodiment, the different video viewpoint segments and/oraudio viewpoint segments are synchronized with each other in real time.That is, when multiple viewpoint segments are available in the sportingevent production 402, each of the multiple different viewpoint segmentsstart, and then end, at or approximately at the same time during theplay of the sporting event 108. Time stamps, or other suitableidentifiers, are included in the viewpoint segments to coordinatepresentation times of the various content during the sporting event 108.The time stamps or other identifiers identify at least the beginning andend of each viewpoint segment.

FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates the different viewpoint segments asbeing separate and distinct streams of video and audio data. Inpractice, an example embodiment packetizes the viewpoint segments intodiscrete packets, wherein each packet is identified using a suitablepacket identifier. The packet of video and audio data can then beinterleaved together, or otherwise combined together, into a singlestream of data that is communicated as the media content stream 118. Thereceiving media devices 104 are then able to reconstruct the stream ofcommunicated media content (streams of video and audio content), andthen present the media content. When different viewpoint contentsegments are available for presentation, the particular presentedviewpoint segment is presented based on the determined level of viewerengagement.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a sporting event presentation system 100that is operable to control a media device 104, such as, but not limitedto, a set top box (STB). Embodiments of the sporting event presentationsystem 100 are configured to sense one or more characteristics of aviewer, and then determine which of a plurality of available viewpointsegments of the sporting event production 402 should be presented basedon the determined level of viewer engagement. Embodiments may beimplemented in other media devices, such as, but not limited to,televisions (TVs), digital video disc (DVD) players, digital videorecorders (DVRs), cellular phones equipped with video functionality,personal device assistants (PDAs), or personal computers (PCs) that areconfigured to present a video- based sporting event that is received ina media content stream 118.

The exemplary media device 104 is communicatively coupled to componentsof a media presentation system 140 that includes a visual display device502, such as a television (hereafter, generically a TV), and an audiopresentation device 504, such as a surround sound receiver controllingan audio reproduction device (hereafter, generically, a speaker 506).Other types of output devices may also be coupled to the media device104, including those providing any sort of stimuli sensible by a humanbeing, such as temperature, vibration and the like. The video portion ofthe media content event is displayed on the display 106 and the audioportion of the media content event is reproduced as sounds by one ormore speakers 506. In some embodiments, the media device 104 and one ormore of the components of the media presentation system 140 may beintegrated into a single electronic device.

The non-limiting exemplary media device 104 comprises a media contentstream interface 508, a processor system 510, a memory 512, a programbuffer 514, an optional digital video recorder (DVR) 516, a presentationdevice interface 518, a remote interface 520, an optional camera 522, anoptional microphone 524, and an optional interface 526 configured toconnect to an external microphone and/or camera 528. The memory 512comprises portions for storing the media device logic 530, theelectronic program guide (EPG) information 532, and the viewerengagement processing logic 534. In some embodiments, the media devicelogic 530 and the viewer engagement processing logic 534 may beintegrated together, and/or may be integrated with other logic. In otherembodiments, some or all of these memory and other data manipulationfunctions may be provided by and using remote server or other electronicdevices suitably connected via the Internet or otherwise to a clientdevice. Other media devices 104 may include some, or may omit some, ofthe above-described media processing components. Further, additionalcomponents not described herein may be included in alternativeembodiments.

As noted above, a viewer or multiple viewers (not shown) may be viewinga sporting event production 402 that presents the sporting event 108(FIGS. 1-4 ). With embodiments of the sporting event presentation system100, the media device 104 can then control itself and the components ofthe media presentation system 140 in accordance a determined level ofviewer engagement that corresponds to a determinable preference for oneof the team playing the sporting event 108. Determining viewerengagement levels, determining a team preference of a viewer, andcontrolling media content presentation of the sporting event 108 thathas been received in the sporting event production 402 is managed by theprocessor system 510 executing the viewer engagement processing logic534.

The functionality of the media device 104, here a set top box, 1 s nowbroadly described. A media content provider provides media content thatis received in one or more multiple media content streams 118multiplexed together in one or more transport channels. The transportchannels with the media content streams 118 are communicated to themedia device 104 from a media system sourced from media contentbroadcast facility 116 (FIG. 1 ) operated by the media content provider.Non-limiting examples of such media systems include satellite systems,cable system, and the Internet. For example, if the media contentprovider provides programming via a satellite-based communicationsystem, the media device 104 is configured to receive one or morebroadcasted satellite signals detected by the receiver antenna 132 (FIG.1 ). Alternatively, or additionally, the media content stream 118 can bereceived from one or more different sources, such as, but not limitedto, a cable system, a radio frequency (RF) communication system, or theInternet.

The one or more media content streams 118 are received by the mediacontent stream interface 508. One or more tuners 508 a in the mediacontent stream interface 508 selectively tune to one of the mediacontent streams 118 in accordance with instructions received from theprocessor system 510. The processor system 510, executing the mediadevice logic 530 and based upon a request for a media content event ofinterest, here the sporting event 108 specified by the viewer(s), parsesout media content associated with the sporting event 108 as determinedby the viewer engagement processing logic 534. The sporting eventproduction 402 that presents the sporting event 108 is then assembledinto a stream of video and/or audio information which may be stored bythe program buffer 514 such that the media content can be streamed outto components of the media presentation system 140, such as the visualdisplay device 502 and/or the audio presentation device 504, via thepresentation device interface 518.

Alternatively, or additionally, the parsed out media content of thesporting event production 402 may be saved into the DVR 516 for laterpresentation. The DVR 516 may be directly provided in, locally connectedto, or remotely connected to, the media device 104. In alternativeembodiments, the media content streams 118 may stored for laterdecompression, processing and/or decryption. When the stored sportingevent production 402 is retrieved for later presentation by the viewer,the media content may be optionally controlled by the viewer engagementprocessing logic 534 to present alternative content in accordance withdetermined viewer engagement levels and viewer team preferences.

From time to time, information populating the EPG 532 portion of thememory 512 is communicated to the media device 104, via the mediacontent stream 118 or via another suitable media. The EPG 532 portion ofthe memory 512 stores the information pertaining to the scheduledprogramming. The information may include, but is not limited to, ascheduled presentation start and/or end time, a program channel, anddescriptive information pertaining to the example sporting event 108.The program's descriptive information may include the title of theprogram, names of performers or actors, date of creation, and a summarydescribing the nature of the program. Any suitable information may beincluded in the program's supplemental information.

Upon receipt of a command from the user requesting presentation of anEPG display, the information in the EPG 532 is retrieved, formatted, andthen presented on the display 106 as an EPG. In an example embodiment,the sporting event 108 is identified in the presented EPG.

If currently broadcasting, the viewer may select the sporting event 108via the EPG. If scheduled for a future broadcast, the viewer may selectthe sporting event 108 for recording into the DVR 516 and/or for laterpresentation when the sporting event 108 is eventually broadcast. In anexample embodiment, the viewer may optionally select the presentation ofthe sporting event 108 in a first mode (a neutral viewpoint only mode ofpresentation) wherein presentation is limited to the neutral viewpoint.That is, the viewer is not presented alternative content base on adetermination of their engagement level and/or their team preference.Alternatively, the viewer may elect a second mode of operation (analternative viewpoint mode of presentation) to have the presentation ofthe sporting event 108 controlled by the viewer engagement processinglogic 534 in accordance with their determined engagement level and/ortheir determined team preference. Any suitable selectable hot spot,icon, or the like may be included on the presented EPG in proximity tothe listing of the sporting event 108 such that the viewer can selectbetween the two modes of presentation.

The exemplary media device 104 is configured to receive commands from aviewer via a remote control 534. The remote control 534 includes one ormore controllers 536. The user, by actuating one or more of thecontrollers 536, causes the remote control 534 to generate and transmitcommands, via a wireless signal 538, to the media device 104. In anexample embodiment, one of the controllers 536 is dedicated (predefined)and is configured to permit the viewer to select between theabove-described neutral viewpoint mode or the alternative content modeof presentation by actuating the predefined controller 536. Thisparticular controller 536 may be identified by a unique color and/orlocation on the surface of the remote control 534 that the user learnsis associated with controlling the above-described modes of operation.Thus, the viewer can easily change between presentation modes byactuating that particular predefined controller 536. The commandscontrol the media device 104 and/or control components of the mediapresentation system 140. The wireless signal 538 may be an infrared (IR)signal or a radio frequency (RF) signal that is detectable by the remoteinterface 520.

The processes performed by the media device 104 relating to theprocessing of the received media content stream 118 and communication ofa presentable media content event to the components of the mediapresentation system 140 are generally implemented by the processorsystem 510 while executing the media device logic 530. Thus, the mediadevice 104 may perform a variety of functions related to the processingand presentation of one or more media content events received in themedia content stream 118.

When a user of one of the media devices 104 is viewing a presentation ofthe sporting event 108 of the sporting event production 402 (received inthe media content stream 118) using the alternative content mode ofpresentation, embodiments of the sporting event presentation system 100begin by presenting the initially received neutral viewpoint video andthe neutral viewpoint audio segment segments (portions) of the receivedsporting event production 402. That is, the presentation of the sportingevent production 402 initially appears the same as, or similar to, theneutral viewpoint mode of presentation which may approximate, or even bethe same as, a conventional presentation of the sporting event 108.

In the initially presented neutral viewpoint video and audio segmentportions, if one or more of alternative segments are also initially inthe received sporting event production 402, these alternative segmentsare not presented to the viewer since the viewer's team preference hasnot yet been determined (based on the determined level of viewerengagement to presentation of the sporting event 108).

Typically, some amount of time of monitoring behavior of the viewer isrequired for the sporting event presentation system 100 to determine thelevel of viewer engagement to the presented sporting event production402. Viewer behavior is monitored by analyzing data captured by thecamera 522, the microphone 524, and/or the external microphone and/orcamera 528. One skilled in the arts appreciates that monitoring viewerengagement based on analysis of captured video of the viewer(s) and/orcaptured audio information made by the viewer(s) can be analyzed todetermine a level of viewer engagement. For example, U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/691,557 to Ramaswamy et al., which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety, discloses one or more processes that may beused by various embodiments of the sporting event presentation system100 to determine a value of a viewer's engagement level.

In practice, the camera 522 and the external microphone and/or camera528 are oriented towards the seating area or viewing area if a mediapresentation room wherein the view(s) is likely to be viewing thesporting event 108. A facial expression, a posture, and/or a hand or armgesture of the viewer in a video image detected by the camera 522 andthe external microphone and/or camera 528 may be correlated with thelevel, amount, or degree of viewer engagement.

Here, the identified facial expression, posture and/or gesture iscompared with a first plurality of facial expressions, postures and/orgestures stored in the memory 512 (or another suitable memory medium)that indicate favoritism and a second plurality of stored facialexpressions, postures and/or gestures that indicate disfavor.

Embodiments determine that the viewer has the preference for the firstteam when the identified at least one facial expression, posture and/orgesture corresponds to one of the first plurality of stored facialexpressions, postures and/or gestures. For example, but not limited to,a facial expression of a smile of the viewer may be compared with smileexpressions stored in the memory 512 (or another suitable memory medium)to determine that the viewer is a fan of the identified team in thepresented video segment. A clapping hand gesture or raised arms may beassociated with favoritism with a particular team. Leaning forward maybe a posture associated with team favoritism.

Conversely, embodiments determining that the viewer has the preferencefor the second team when the identified at least one facial expression,posture and/or gesture corresponds to one of the second plurality ofstored facial expressions, postures and/or gestures. For example, butnot limited to, a facial expression of a frown of the viewer may becompared with stored frown expressions to determine that the viewer is anot fan of the identified team in the presented video segment. A handgesture of a fist or a punching motion may be associated with disfavorof a particular team. Leaning backward may be a posture associated withteam disfavor.

The microphone 514 and/or the external microphone and/or camera 528 arelocated so as to be able to detect sounds made by the viewer(s). Exampledetectable sounds include, but are not limited to, cheering, booing,and/or other commentary. The detected sound, interchangeably referred toherein as an audio clip, may be analyzed for content characteristics,such as wherein cheering or booing are identified. The audio contentcharacteristics from the audio clip may be compared with a firstplurality of audio characteristics stored in the memory 512 (or anothersuitable memory medium) that correspond to favoritism and a storedsecond plurality of audio characteristics that corresponds to disfavor.

Alternatively, or additionally, a volume level of the sounds may beanalyzed, wherein the volume level may be correlated with a degree ofviewer engagement by comparing the determined volume level with a volumelevel threshold stored in the memory 512 (or another suitable memorymedium). When the identified volume level is at least equal to thevolume level threshold, a preference for the team identified in thatcorresponding video segment may be determined for the viewing user.Optionally, when the identified volume level is less than the storedvolume level threshold, a preference for the other team, or teamneutrality, may be determined.

Particular spoken key words may be identified in the detected sounds. Akey word is a word or phrase that has a determinable meaning about theobject of a spoken sentence, wherein the meaning of the key word can beassociated with liking (favoritism) or disliking (disfavor) of theobject. At least one key word from the audio clip may be compared with aplurality of first key words stored in the memory 512 (or anothersuitable memory medium) that correspond to favoritism and a secondplurality of key words that corresponds to disfavor. Embodiments thendetermine that the viewer has the preference for the associated teamwhen the identified at least one key word corresponds to one of thestored first plurality of key words, or determines that the viewer hasthe preference for the other team when the identified at least one audiokey word corresponds to one of the stored second plurality of key words.

For example, for a particular presented segment of the sporting eventproduction 402, one or more of the viewers may be highly engaged, mildlyengaged, somewhat engaged or not engaged. One skilled in the artappreciates that a degree (value) of viewer engagement level can bequantified in any suitable manner, such as on a sliding scale ofnumerals, by a rating level (such as, high to low), or the like. For aconceptual description of a non-limiting example embodiment of thesporting event presentation system 100, the degree of viewer engagementlevel will be classified into one of three categories: a high level ofengagement, a neutral level of engagement, or a low level of engagement.

Many types of sporting events 108 involve a competition between twoopposing teams. As appreciated by one skilled in the art, the level ofactivity exhibited by the monitored viewer and/or the volume/amount/typeof sound emitted by the monitored viewer may be correlated to a degreeof the viewer engagement level. However, determining the degree ofviewer engagement level is not sufficient alone to ascertain whichparticular team the viewer is a fan of (or if the viewer is neutral).

Accordingly, embodiments of the sporting event presentation system 100further determine which team the viewer is a fan of (interchangeablyreferred to herein as a team preference). In some instances, the viewermay not be a fan of either team. Accordingly, the segments of thesporting event production 402 include the additional information that isassociated with team identification. Such team identificationinformation is a presented segment of the sporting event production 402is not included in a legacy production of the sporting event 108. Theteam identification information is used to further determine which teamthe viewer is a fan of.

In an example embodiment, when a first team performs a particularlyadvantageous play (such as a game score), a suitable identifierassociated with the first team is included in that corresponding segmentof the sporting event production 402. That is, the team identifier isadded into that segment (as data) such that the viewer engagementprocessing logic 534 can correlate the determined level of viewerengagement with the team identifier. For example, returning to theconceptual sporting event 108 described herein, the segment 310, 404corresponding to the duration T1 (FIGS. 3-4 ) showing the game score bythe first team has an identifier or the like in that segment thatindicates that the first team has performed particularly well duringthat segment of the sporting event production 402.

The attributes of the monitored viewer then are analyzed in the contextof their determined degree of viewer engagement level. For example, thegame score may elicit a relatively high level of viewer engagement forviewers who are a fan of the first team and for viewers that are a fanof the second team. However, their exhibited characteristics of theirhigh level of viewer engagement are likely to be quite differentdepending upon their actual team preference. Here, fans of the firstteam may be relatively happy or pleased by the game score. Such viewersmay loudly cheer, clap, applaud, and/or exhibit gestures that may beattributed to a degree of favoritism for the first team's performanceduring that segment. These sounds and/or gestures may be recognized bythe viewer engagement processing logic 534 as corresponding to a degreeof favoritism on the part of the viewer. Accordingly, a preference forthe first team may be then determined.

In contrast, fans of the second team may be relatively disappointed,displeased, or even angry. Viewers who are fans of the second team mayloudly boo, scream in anger, or make negative gestures that may beattributed to a degree of disfavor for the performance during thatsegment in response to viewing the segment where the first team scored agame point. These sounds and/or gestures may be recognized by the viewerengagement processing logic 534 as exhibiting a degree of disfavor forthe first team on the part of the viewer. Accordingly, a preference forthe second team may be then determined.

Additionally, or alternatively, dialogue spoken by the viewer(s) may beanalyzed for key words which tend to indicate a degree of favoritism. Astored list of words associated with favoritism, such as fantastic,great, wonderful, amazing, or the like can be compared with determineddialogue words from the detected sounds to determine if the viewerfavors the first team. In contrast, a stored list of words associatedwith favoritism, such as horrible, unfair, rotten, or the like can becompared with determined dialogue words to determine if the viewerdisfavors the first team (and is therefore, presumably, a fan of thesecond team).

Accordingly, embodiments of the viewer engagement processing logic 534are configured associate the detected characteristics exhibited by theviewer as being in favor of, or in disfavor of, the team identified inthe segment (that was known to have performed particularly well in thatsegment). The viewer can be determined to favor the identified teamperforming particularly well in that segment when the level of viewerengagement exceeds a threshold and when attributes relating to theirresponse tends to indicate favoritism for the first team. Accordingly, apreference for the first team may be then determined.

Alternatively, the viewer can be determined to disfavor the identifiedteam performing particularly well in that segment when the level ofviewer engagement exceeds a threshold and when attributes relating totheir response tends to indicate disfavor for the first team.Accordingly, a preference for the second team may be then determined.

Further, the degree of the viewer's engagement level determined from themonitoring of the presented segment may indicate neither favoritism ordisfavor on the part of the viewer for the team that performedparticularly well in that presented segment. Even though the viewer mayexhibit some relatively small degree of favoritism or disfavor,embodiments of the viewer engagement processing logic 534 may determinethat the viewer's viewpoint is substantially neutral when the degree oftheir determined viewer engagement level is less that the threshold thatwas used to determine a high degree of favor or disfavor. Alternatively,a different lower threshold may be used to determine viewer neutrality.

After a sufficient duration of presentation of the sporting eventproduction 402 to the viewer, embodiments of the viewer engagementprocessing logic 534 are able to reliable and accurately determinewhether the viewer is a fan of one of the teams playing in the sportingevent 108, or if the viewer is neutral with respect to the playingteams. For example, if a predefined number of segments indicate that anidentified one of the two teams has performed particularly well in thatsegment, and if the viewer consistently responds as liking or dislikingthe performance of the teams in that segment, then the viewer'spreferred team can be identified. For example, if the first team scoresa point and the viewer loudly cheers and claps, and then the first teamcommits a foul and the viewer loudly boos, then the high of the degreeof the viewer's engagement level coupled with the viewer's response tothe two segments would enable the sporting event presentation system 100to accurately and reliably determine that the viewer is a fan of thefirst team. Conversely, when the first team scores the point and theviewer loudly boos, and then the first team commits the foul and theviewer loudly cheers and claps, then the high of the degree of theviewer's engagement level coupled with the viewer's response to the twosegments would enable the viewer engagement processing logic 534 toaccurately and reliably determine that the viewer is a fan of the secondteam. If the degree of the viewer's engagement level does not exceed thethreshold, then the viewer engagement processing logic 534 accuratelyand reliably determines that the viewer is neutral towards the firstteam and the second team. Accordingly, alternative content for thefavored team may be presented to the viewer based on their determinedteam preference.

Some sporting events 108 involve competition among more than twoopposing teams. For example, a track and field event may involve anumber of competitions, such as a race or the like, that haveparticipants who are members of a number of different teams that may berepresenting countries, schools or the like. Here, the segment mayinclude an identifier that has been associated with the winner of aparticular competition or another competitor who has performedparticularly well in that competition. The response of the viewer can beanalyzed to determine which of the particular teams the viewer is a fanof by determining which particular ones of the competitors that theviewer is enthusiastic about. The viewer may even be a fan of multipleteams. Accordingly, alternative content for the one or more preferredteams may be presented to the viewer based on their determined teampreferences.

In some embodiments, the identifier associated with the team thatperformed particularly well in that segment may be omitted. Rather thanusing an identifier in that particular segment, information in followingalternative content segments may be used to determine the viewer's teampreference. For example, the first team video segment 406 a showing thereplay of the game score by the first team may be used to identify ordetermine that the first team performed particularly well in thepreceding segment. Thus, the alternative content itself may be used tocorrelate viewer behavior to determine the viewer's team preference.However, such an embodiment is not preferred since it may be morecomputationally intensive, and may take a longer time, to accurately andreliably determine the viewer's team preference.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of the sporting event production that ispresented by the media devices. Here, the media content broadcastfacility 116 communicates the sporting event production 402 to the mediadevices 104 a-c. The sporting event production 402 is received in themedia content stream 118, is processed based on a determination of theviewer's team preference, and is then presented on the respectivedisplay 106. Alternatively, the entirety of the sporting eventproduction 402 may have been saved in the respective one of the DVRs 516a-c, or saved into another suitable storage medium, for laterpresentation to the viewer.

Operation of the sporting event presentation system 100 to controlpresented segments is conceptually described in the context of theabove-described hypothetical sporting event 108. Here, the viewer usingthe first media device 104 a is presumed to be a fan of the first team.The viewer using the second media device 104 b is presumed to be a fanof the second team. The viewer using the third media device 104 c ispresumed to have a neutral viewpoint with respect to the first team orthe second team.

The media content broadcast facility 116 communicates the same sportingevent production 402 to the media devices 104 a-c in the media contentstream 118. The sporting event production 402, for various durations(periods of game play) may include neutral viewpoint segments, firstteam alternative segments, and/or second team alternative segments. Whenno alternative content is provided in a currently presenting segment ofthe sporting event production 402, each of the viewers are presented thesame neutral viewpoint content. For example, during presentation of theabove-described segment associated with the duration T1, the neutralviewpoint segment 404 that comprises a neutral viewpoint video segment404 a and a neutral viewpoint audio segment 404 b is presented to allviewers.

However, from time to time during the sporting event production 402,alternative content will be available to the different viewers based ontheir determined team preference. For example, during the presentationof the above-described segment associated with the duration

T2, the first team alternative content video segment 406 (showing videoof the replay in the alternative video content 408 a of the scoringplay) and optionally the corresponding audio portion of the cheeringfans 218 in the alternative audio content 406 b, is selected by themedia device 104 a for presentation to that respective viewer (who waspreviously determined to be a fan of the first team).

In contrast, during the presentation of the above-described segmentassociated with the duration T2, the second team video segment 408(showing a video replay of the foul and a narrative discussing thepotential foul play from the commentator 216 in the alternative videocontent 408 a and the alternative audio content 408 b) is selected bythe media device 104 b for presentation to the that respective viewer(who was previously determined to be a fan of the second team).

Further, during the presentation of the above-described segmentassociated with the duration T2, the neutral viewpoint video segment 410(showing a continued play in the neutral viewpoint video content 410 aand the neutral viewpoint audio content 410 b) is selected by the mediadevice 104 b for presentation to the that respective viewer (who waspreviously determined to be neutral) That is, the viewer using the mediadevice 104 c is neither a fan of the first team or the second team.

In an alternative embodiment, presentation of the neutral viewpointvideo segment 410 a, corresponding to presentation of the live broadcastversion of the sporting event 108, may be paused. Here, the followingneutral viewpoint video segment portion is temporarily stored in theprogram buffer 514 while the alternative content is being presented tothe viewer. After the alternative content has been presented,presentation of the buffered neutral viewpoint video segment may resume(from the point that it was first buffered).

The media device 104 tracks the duration of each presented alternativecontent segment to define a total cumulative duration. If the totalcumulative duration of the alternative content portion, or multiplepresented alternative content portions, is below some thresholdduration, then the process of pausing, buffering, presenting alternativecontent, and then resuming presentation of the buffered neutralviewpoint video content may continue until the end of the sporting eventproduction 402. Here, the viewer will simply see the presented end ofthe sporting event 108 after the real time ending of the sporting event108.

However, if the total cumulative duration of the alternative contentportion exceeds the threshold, then selected portions of the neutralviewpoint video segment portion may be skipped, jumped over, and/or fastforwarded through. Alternatively, or additionally, commercials or thelike, segments that are not likely of great interest to any viewer,and/or other segments that may not be particularly relevant to thesporting event 108, may be skipped, jumped over, and/or fast forwardedthrough. Accordingly, the total presentation time required forpresentation of the sporting event production 402 can be managed and/orlimited to a maximum time limit.

In an example embodiment, the producers of the sporting event production402 may identify one or more segments of the neutral viewpoint video asbeing a “sacrificial” segment. For example, there may be periods ofrelative inactivity during the game play that would not be of particularinterest to any of the viewers. Here, the sacrificial segment may beskipped, jumped over, and/or fast forwarded through if the totalcumulative duration of the alternative content portion, as determined atthe media device 104, exceeds the threshold. When a sacrificial segmentis skipped, jumped over, and/or fast forwarded through, then the totalcumulative duration of the alternative content portion is reset to alower value (corresponding to the duration of the sacrificed segment).In this manner, the total cumulative duration of the alternative contentportions can be limited to some predefined duration or time limit.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thesporting event presentation system 100 are merely possible examples ofimplementations of the invention. Many variations and modifications maybe made to the above-described embodiments. All such modifications andvariations are intended to be included herein within the scope of thisdisclosure and protected by the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A system comprising: one or more processing devices;and memory communicatively coupled with and readable by the one or moreprocessing devices and having stored therein processor-readableinstructions which, when executed by the one or more processing devices,cause the one or more processing devices to perform operationscomprising: processing content from a remote content provider, thecontent corresponding to a sporting event that is a live event andcomprising a first set of one or more content segments corresponding toa first viewpoint with respect to a first opponent in the sporting eventand a second opponent in the sporting event; determining the viewerpreference favoring the first opponent in the sporting event and/ordisfavoring the second opponent in the sporting event; when alternativecontent is not available, causing presentation of the first set of oneor more content segments; during the presentation of the first set ofone or more content segments, processing a second set of one or morecontent segments that corresponds to a non-neutral viewpoint of thesporting event that favors the first opponent in the sporting eventand/or disfavors the second opponent in the sporting event, the secondset of one or more content segments comprising non-neutral viewpointvideo synchronized with audio of the live event as the live eventprogresses in real time to coordinate presentation times of thenon-neutral viewpoint video with the audio of the live event; andcausing presentation of the second set of one or more content segmentscorresponding to a non-neutral viewpoint of the sporting event on thedisplay instead of continuing to cause presentation of the first set ofone or more content segments so that at least part of the second set ofone or more content segments is presented as an alternative to continuedpresentation of the first set of one or more content segments.
 2. Thesystem as recited in claim 1, the operations further comprising:skipping over a portion of the first set of one or more content segmentswhile the second set of one or more content segments is presented. 3.The system as recited in claim 2, the operations further comprising:after the first set of one or more content segments has been presented,causing the presentation of the first set of one or more contentsegments to continue at a point after the portion of the first set ofone or more content segments.
 4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherethe portion of the first set of one or more content segments isidentified as a period of relative inactivity during the live event. 5.The system as recited in claim 1, the operations further comprising:pausing the presentation of the first set of one or more contentsegments, where the presentation of the first set of one or more contentsegments is paused while the second set of one or more content segmentsis presented.
 6. The system as recited in claim 5, the operationsfurther comprising: after the first set of one or more content segmentshas been presented, causing the presentation of the first set of one ormore content segments to resume at a point at which the first set of oneor more content segments was paused.
 7. The system as recited in claim6, the operations further comprising: tracking a duration of presentedalternative content, the presented alternative content comprises thefirst set of one or more content segments; and based at least in part onthe tracking, determining whether to pause the presentation of the firstset of one or more content segments or a third set of one or morecontent segments when subsequent alternative content is presented, or toskip a portion of the first set of one or more content segments or athird set of one or more content segments when subsequent alternativecontent is presented.
 8. One or more non-transitory, machine-readablemedia having machine-readable instructions thereon which, when executedby one or more processing devices, cause the one or more processingdevices to perform operations comprising: processing content from aremote content provider, the content corresponding to a sporting eventthat is a live event and comprising a first set of one or more contentsegments corresponding to a first viewpoint with respect to a firstopponent in the sporting event and a second opponent in the sportingevent; determining the viewer preference favoring the first opponent inthe sporting event and/or disfavoring the second opponent in thesporting event; when alternative content is not available, causingpresentation of the first 11 set of one or more content segments; duringthe presentation of the first set of one or more content segments,processing a second set of one or more content segments that correspondsto a non-neutral viewpoint of the sporting event that favors the firstopponent in the sporting event and/or disfavors the second opponent inthe sporting event, the second set of one or more content segmentscomprising non-neutral viewpoint video synchronized with audio of thelive event as the live event progresses in real time to coordinatepresentation times of the non-neutral viewpoint video with the audio ofthe live event; and causing presentation of the second set of one ormore content segments corresponding to a non-neutral viewpoint of thesporting event on the display instead of continuing to causepresentation of the first set of one or more content segments so that atleast part of the second set of one or more content segments ispresented as an alternative to continued presentation of the first setof one or more content segments.
 9. The one or more non-transitory,machine-readable media as recited in claim 8, the operations furthercomprising: skipping over a portion of the first set of one or morecontent segments while the second set of one or more content segments ispresented.
 10. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable media asrecited in claim 9, the operations further comprising: after the firstset of one or more content segments has been presented, causing thepresentation of the first set of one or more content segments tocontinue at a point after the portion of the first set of one or morecontent segments.
 11. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readablemedia as recited in claim 10, where the portion of the first set of oneor more content segments is identified as a period of relativeinactivity during the live event.
 12. The one or more non-transitory,machine-readable media as recited in claim 8, the operations furthercomprising: pausing the presentation of the first set of one or morecontent segments, where the presentation of the first set of one or morecontent segments is paused while the second set of one or more contentsegments is presented.
 13. The one or more non-transitory,machine-readable media as recited in claim 12, the operations furthercomprising: after the first set of one or more content segments has beenpresented, causing the presentation of the first set of one or morecontent segments to resume at a point at which the first set of one ormore content segments was paused.
 14. The one or more non-transitory,machine-readable media as recited in claim 13, the operations furthercomprising: tracking a duration of presented alternative content, thepresented alternative content comprises the first set of one or morecontent segments; and based at least in part on the tracking,determining whether to pause the presentation of the first set of one ormore content segments or a third set of one or more content segmentswhen subsequent alternative content is presented, or to skip a portionof the first set of one or more content segments or a third set of oneor more content segments when subsequent alternative content ispresented.
 15. A method comprising: processing content from a remotecontent provider, the content corresponding to a sporting event that isa live event and comprising a first set of one or more content segmentscorresponding to a first viewpoint with respect to a first opponent inthe sporting event and a second opponent in the sporting event;determining the viewer preference favoring the first opponent in thesporting event and/or disfavoring the second opponent in the sportingevent; when alternative content is not available, causing presentationof the first set of one or more content segments; during thepresentation of the first set of one or more content segments,processing a second set of one or more content segments that correspondsto a non-neutral viewpoint of the sporting event that favors the firstopponent in the sporting event and/or disfavors the second opponent inthe sporting event, the second set of one or more content segmentscomprising non-neutral viewpoint video synchronized with audio of thelive event as the live event progresses in real time to coordinatepresentation times of the non-neutral viewpoint video with the audio ofthe live event; and causing presentation of the second set of one ormore content segments corresponding to a non-neutral viewpoint of thesporting event on the display instead of continuing to causepresentation of the first set of one or more content segments so that atleast part of the second set of one or more content segments ispresented as an alternative to continued presentation of the first setof one or more content segments.
 16. The method as recited in claim 15,further comprising: skipping over a portion of the first set of one ormore content segments while the second set of one or more contentsegments is presented.
 17. The method as recited in claim 16, furthercomprising: after the first set of one or more content segments has beenpresented, causing the presentation of the first set of one or morecontent segments to continue at a point after the portion of the firstset of one or more content segments.
 18. The method as recited in claim17, where the portion of the first set of one or more content segmentsis identified as a period of relative inactivity during the live event.19. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising: pausing thepresentation of the first set of one or more content segments, where thepresentation of the first set of one or more content segments is pausedwhile the second set of one or more content segments is presented. 20.The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising: after the firstset of one or more content segments has been presented, causing thepresentation of the first set of one or more content segments to resumeat a point at which the first set of one or more content segments waspaused.